Nureyev's Sleeping Beauty

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I would love to see Xiao Nan Yu's Aurora, although I would rather see one of the princes other than Nehemiah Kish. I think I will try to see Chan Hon Goh and Zdenek Konvalina. I've missed her during her maternity leave, and I am eager to see Konvalina. I will also see Heather Ogden and Guillaume Cote if I have time. Anyone else here going?

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I don’t have time for many details but last night was a terrific opening of the first season in the new opera house. First off - my seat is wonderful...clear view down to the stage and so close I feel I could reach out and touch the dancers. Banish the booster cushion forever! (At least from this seat anyway)

Karen Kain looked lovely in a black and gold ball gown and Veronica Tennant was gorgeous - trim and slim in a refit of her Juliet costume - the one she wore in her last performance. I saw Augustyn and Martine Lamy but did not see where the other special guests were - looked everywhere for Celia Franca but no luck.

OK - dancing. Greta Hodgkinson was everything you could ask for as Aurora. Perhaps the big final balances in the Rose Adage were not carried off with as much elan as she would have liked but she got through them just fine and then she was off like a rocket. Her technique to so solid, so secure - she can dance above it...or at least make it look like she does. There was such joy in her performance. And of course because she has danced Aurora so many times she knows how to pace herself to get through. Guillaume Cote continues to impress although at this point he doesn’t quite bring the same polish that Antonijevic, at his best, has in the big classical roles - but he’s catching up fast that’s for sure. Stacey Shiori Minagawa and Keiichi Hirano almost stole the show with the their Blue Birds. Keiichi’s elevation is astounding and reminds me of the glory days of Kevin Pugh and before him Frank Augustyn who were both brilliant in the role. I’m so glad Stacey will get a performance as Aurora and I don’t intend to miss it. I think she will be delightful.

The audience was very receptive and enthusiastic - to the point of actually breaking out in applause if someone did a particularly spectacular move. I think there were quite a few “non-Ballet” people in the audience because I’ve never experienced applause during a solo before.

One note of warning though. Watch your step as you exit your row as there is a sharp diagonal dip in the floor that’s rather tricky. I almost went down on my tush the first time I exited my seat!

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My daughter, as an NBS student, got to see the show last night and said it was wonderful (though she said she did prefer the Royal Ballet version that we got to see in June). She said Sonia Rodriguez and Aleksander Antonijevic were really good as Aurora and the Prince. Now, curiously, Brett vanSickle went on as the Bluebird: the online casting list (I know, subject to change) had Dong Hyun Seo listed. But my daughter said van Sickle was really, really, really good -- and not just because she and her classmates got to see him on the subway after the show (and compliment him, of course). I didn't have time to get more details about the costumes et al, but hope to in a later phone call.

Oh, and even though she had nosebleed seats, she said she really liked the new theater and you could see everything clearly, even from way up high. BIG thumbs up over the Hummingbird.

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I was there Friday night as well to see Sonia Rodriguez and Alek Antonijevic and it’s wonderful how the partnership between these two has developed. They obviously love dancing together and at the end Alex gave Sonia his bouquet of flowers and dropped to his knee to kiss her hand. She in turn laid both bouquets on the stage in tribute to the conductor (or the orchestra in whole perhaps.) Sonia is so quick and fast - an extremely light dancer but in no way lightweight! Her Act 1 solo, where she flirts in turn with each suitor, was particularly impressive with multi-turn pirouettes absolutely perfect...not a wobble in sight. Her technique is quite impressive and as usual, she is a joy to watch. As for Alek what can one say other then he is a dancer still in his prime and brings all his experience and stagecraft to every performance. It’s hard to show much character development in a role like this, but he manages to convey both the careless arrogance of a young prince and the loneliness inherent in his lofty position. I’ve always detested Nureyev’s choreography for the big Act 11 sole for the prince - it just doesn’t flow...all that “embroidery” on every step - but Alek did it as well as anyone I’ve ever seen.

I had a “rush” seat and it was very good. I was a little concerned about being so far over to the left but the angle of the stage gives an excellent view and the arm chairs are very comfortable. I highly recommend them.

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* whoever said that there would be no more long lines for the lady's room at the Four Seasons (as opposed to Hummingbird) needs to have another look. I am lucky; I have an aisle seat close to the door so I can make a quick exit. MANY more ladies were not so lucky. Lines MUCH longer than at Hummingbird.

* a few little things need attention, such as the elevator (one malfunctioned during the afternoon), and faucets in the ladies' room (left hand faucet never seemed to work).

* I thought Chan Hon Goh did a wonderful job as Aurora, and I"m sure she is glad to be back on stage! The Rose Adagio was wonderful, no bobbles at all and if we didn't know better we'd think it was all a walk in the park. The pair of Goh/Konvolina seemed to work well...their fish dives were particularly spectacular (HOW did they do that?)

* We were lucky enough to also see Ms Zehr in a major role today. She has power and charisma to burn, but I have to say that I'd like to feed her!

* Mr. Konvolina was also a nice addition to NBOC. Technically he has all the skills one would want in a principal dancer. There's a little something missing though, not sure if it's the lighting at the new venue (men tended to look a little pale generally), or if there is something more specific to Mr. Konvolina. He could perhaps use some suggestions re hair products, as his hair didn't stand up to the dancing that it really needed to live through.

* Bluebird was lovely today, and althought I have no comparison with the other casts Seo did a wonderful job.

* Pussycats were wonderful, but I admit to bias here. I've watched James Leja since he was a student, so have seen him grow from hesitant to comfortable student, then tentative to confident corps de ballet member. it has truly been a pleasure, and I hope that I'll be watching him for many years to come.

* other relatively new corps members danced feature roles today, and all parents have a reason to be incredibly proud.

I'm looking forward to hearing from others who attended the performance today, and other days.